Stainless Steel Exhaust Manifolds + EGR Pipes Woes

[stubbers]

Hi there. I'm guessing like a lot of people I plan on getting a nice shiny stainless steel header for the engine bay and of course the 10+BHP all the ads say.....

Anyway i have found a few different types, yes on eBay but none of them have EGR pipe compatibility I know your car doesn't need the EGR pipe to run (Various thoughts on mx5 forums if it should be blocked or just put a filter on it) but would the emissions be to high to pass an IVA?

Has anyone removed the EGR pipe? Did they just block it off? How were the emissions?

Yes I do know MX5 parts do a lovely one but quite frankly I haven't got £300 just to spend on a header at the moment, although I'm sure its worth it.
www.mx5parts.co.uk/stainless-steel-tubular-manifold-p-646.html

I thought id finally found one
Raceland in the US do a nice looking one at around £100 depending on exchange rates and the reviews aren't to bad on MX5 nuts and alike. BUT contacting them yesterday they don't ship to the UK at all or have a UK agent/distributor
www.racelandus.com/exhaust-headers/mazda-miata-mx-5-na-1-8-exhaust-header.html

So what exhaust manifolds have people gone for?
Stock one until the IVA and then stainless?

Rich

[John B]

Same problem here. I was going to fit my new manifold and remove/block off the EGR but as I understand it the emissions will go up and won't pass the IVA test. I'm yet to be convinced on this though as all jap spec cars do not have the EGR from the factory yet still pass the test. Is it a different test for the eunos?

[trident]

Stubbers do you also have a uk spec 1.8 From what I can see this is the only model that has the EGR on the Mk1. I might be wrong though..

[scooby1929]

Its fitted from 1996 onwards

[stubbers]

Mine is a 1995 mk1 1.8

Rich

[squelch]

mines an early 1995 1.8 (pre immobilser in key) and has the EGR pipe

i did find one manifold that fits the 1.8 and has the EGR pipe but its for the mk2.5 and the outlet pipe is a much larger size than the standard system and cat and will require a full system made to fit



Its made by Japspeed

[John B]

Mines a 1994 mk1 with EGR pipe.
How hard would it be to have an inlet for the EGR pipe manufactured onto a stainless manifold?

Any idea's?

[trident]

Guys

Today whilst at work I went to Autolink MX5 and asked if a mk2 EGR would fit the Mk1 and explained the problem with the stainless exhaust not having the fitting. The chap there ask if I knew what it did to which I replied "No not really" His reply was "It doesn’t do much” ( apparently when you take your foot of the accelerator and the revs are below 2000rpm a small amount of the exhaust gasses are returned to help with keeping the engine clean and thus helping to reduce emissions ... or something like that....) ..He stated .. just remove the whole EGR unit, block off the hole and sell it on eBay as the car will work fine without it and you’ll also get slightly more power.

I’m certainly no mechanic and might not have explained correctly what the EGR unit does but the advice I got and they knew a lot about MX5’s was to remove the whole unit, so that’s what I'm going to be doing.

Chris

[trident]

Jul 12, 2012 18:06:11 GMT scooby1929 said:

Its fitted from 1996 onwards

Mines a 94 on a L Reg

[John B]

I've read on many forums about EGR removal, some mention just removing the pipe and blanking off the holes while others talk about removing the EGR valve, pipe and all associated electrics. Whats not clear is what actually works, what doesn't and how it can affect the cars emmisions when it comes to the IVA test and future MOT's.
I'm yet to find any really good pictures to support the removal also.

[trident]

I have now also spoken to a mechanic friend of mine and asked him about the EGR . He stated that it is best to remove the whole EGR valve along with the pipe. That way you don't get any fault codes etc. With regards to emissions, he stated it was a minimal increase and most people remove it to give extra power from the engine ...

He is going to help me remove mine either tomorrow or Friday.. I'll take photos as it's done and post them to this thread.

On a slightly different note as we all seem to have 1.8 models .. can anyone advise me if the rear sub frame brace pictured below needs to be cut down where I have marked it or is there a mounting point on the Exocet chassis just a there was on the mx5.

Cheers Chris

[squelch]

thats where i cut mine down, it wont fit without cutting down

[John B]

I cut mine there also.

[John B]

Hi Chris,

Did you get the EGR removed?
Any pictures to share?

Cheers,
John.

[trident]

John

Sorry not done yet due to overtime at work...hopefully get it done Wednesday now if I do actually do it as I'm a bit concern at the reports on another thread about the quality of the cheaper stainless exhaust and them not fitting.. removing the pipe dosen't worry me as I been told by a number of good sources that is fine to remove and also it would make the engine bay neater with less wires etc

I know there is an exhaust from MX5 parts but is alot more but it should fit the car as the original manifold did with the EGR pipe. Also their shop is only about 5miles from where I work so I can see it before I buy..

After reading the other thread I'm now in two minds what to do... remove the pipe and go for the cheaper exhaust or keep the pipe and get the exhaust that I can easily take back if there are any issues as the company is just down the road.. why is nothing ever simple?